New GCash stories film follows the success story of ‘Bayani ng Barangay’ Rhea Inayan

A story of progress and new beginnings for local business owners, para sa mga nangarap at bumangon muli.

In Photo: GCash team visits Rhea’s biggest pera outlet

GCash, the country’s leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, spotlights Rhea Inayan’s journey in their fifth installment of #GCashStories, a campaign that brings its Finance for All mission to life through real, impactful stories of everyday Filipinos. 2

This year’s GCash Story launch was a heartfelt celebration in Inayan’s hometown of Bacolod City, where the MSME community gathered to honor her journey of progress and rebuilding.

“Rhea’s journey reminds us why we do what we do at GCash,” said Martha Sazon, president & CEO of Mynt, the holding company of GCash. “As long as there are everyday heroes like Rhea who are ready to rise and help others, we will continue to build products that support them every step of the way,” she added.

“Rhea is proof that when you empower one person, you can uplift an entire community,” added Neil Trinidad, chief marketing officer of Mynt, the holding company of GCash. “She has created spaces for connection, support, and financial empowerment within her own community. Through GCash Stories, we celebrate people like her who show that real progress starts with simple tools, strong values, and the courage to begin again.”

From Local Boutique Owner to Bayani ng Barangay

Inayan started in 2008 with Tatti Boutique, which sold imported goods. Her shop grew a loyal following—until her illness and the pandemic forced it to close. Determined to start again, she launched a pop-up shop in City Mall Mandalagan in 2023. She noticed customers asking if they could cash in or pay bills, recognizing a business opportunity. She explored her options before a friend referred her to the GCash Pera Outlet program.

GCash Pera Outlet is a platform designed for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and general trade businesses to facilitate transactions on behalf of their customers. For years, Inayan’s underserved community had little to no options and were forced to deal with high interest rates, timed transactions to bank hours regardless of urgency, and other limitations. With GCash Pera Outlet, they are now able to easily access several financial products such as Cash In, Cash Out, Buy Load, Pay Bills, and Claim Padala.

What began with a ₱10,000 capital and a handwritten signage for “Cash-in, Cash-out, E-load” turned into a full-blown business. Inayan is now one of the top GCash Pera Outlet partners across Visayas, operating four GCash Pera Outlet Accounts. Guided by her personal mission to serve her local community, Inayan built her business around the needs of those around her, seeking to give convenience and aid where she could. By helping their lives move forward by making financial transactions easier every day, she became a trusted pillar in the barangay.

According to Lourdes Batac, GCash head of communications strategy and the GCash Stories Campaign Lead since 2023, Inayan is the perfect choice as the featured hero in the latest short film.

“GCash Stories is more than just a thematic campaign for us,” she said. “Rhea’s journey from a small business owner to now a leading GCash Pera Outlet in Visayas captures everything GCash stands for: progress that starts with people and growth that’s shared with the community.”

Growth fueled by Community

Inayan’s busiest times are payday and weekends, when people line up to send or receive money, pay bills, or buy essentials. Her store hours stretch beyond banks and traditional outlets, providing a lifeline for working customers.

More than numbers, Inayan sees her work as a calling. “Akala ko dati, negosyo lang ang tinatahak kong landas — yung simpleng kita at simpleng tindahan lang,” she shared. “Pero nung naging GCash Pera Outlet partner ako at mas napalapit ako sa komunidad, doon ko nakita na sa bawat transaksyon, may kwento. Ngayon, mas bukas ang puso ko na magbahagi, hindi lang ng serbisyo kundi sa pag-asenso ng aking komunidad.”

Inayan maintains that her success is a product of hard work and keeping true to her business philosophy: Build trust. It’s a belief instilled by her mother, her “biggest supporter,” who taught her to fight fairly, or lumaban nang patas.

Progress Inspires Progress

Beyond her own growth, Inayan continues to mentor and inspire other aspiring GCash Pera Outlets, with at least 10–15 referrals made under her wing. She supports customers of all ages, including senior citizens who often ask for help navigating the GCash app. Her vision? To expand to more towns across Negros, build a network of GCash Pera Outlets, and eventually explore franchising opportunities for others to follow her path.

Today, Rhea enjoys quiet mornings in her rest house in Murcia and finds peace through prayer, cooking adobo for friends, and watching her community thrive. She credits her journey to her support system—family, staff, GCash partners, and her suki customers. Her story reminds us all that progress doesn’t have to be instant. With GCash, kaya mong simulan ang pag-asenso. Pangarap mo. Simulan mo.

In this event, GCash brings that vision closer to reality with its mission of “Finance for All,” championing financial access that brings progress within reach for every Filipino. The brand is doubling down on its goal through its GCash Pera Outlet program, with hopes to empower even more local business owners, like Inayan.

By becoming a GCash Pera Outlet, GCash seeks to provide ease for MSMEs to operate their business and grow their earnings faster, “Para mas malaki ang balik sa pagod at puhunan,” says Barbie Dapul, chief operations officer of G-Xchange, Inc.

The GCash Pera Outlet allows MSMEs to serve as Cash In, Cash Out outlets for their communities along with serving as transaction hubs to Pay BIlls, Buy Load and Pay QR, what’s unique is that now signing up is also made easier, with just one ID and a verified GCash account potential business owners can now sign up to be a GCash Pera Outlet.

With minimum requirements, MSMEs can sign up to become a GCash Pera Outlet and enjoy extended wallet limits, up to 500k PHP, and have access to free signage and tarps for their visibility. Upon signing up as a GCash Pera Outlet, MSMEs have added up to P40,000 to their monthly earnings!

In helping MSMEs to succeed “Ang gusto naming mangyari ay madala ang financial access at progreso sa bawat Pilipino, kahit saan man siya naroroon. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa digital payments, kasama dito yung pagbibigay ng mga solusyon tulad ng GCash Pera Outlet at GCash for Business na pwedeng gamitin para mas padaliin ang buhay ng mga small business owners” says Jong Layug, G-Xchange Inc. general manager of GCash for Business.